I interviewed a friend of mine living in the states
Name: Jessie Lin
Age: 18 (same as myself)
Ethnicity: Part Chinese Part Taiwanese
*Lived in China
Conversation was fairly casual so i got rid of it. Below are my rewordings of her responses.
1) Do you have a specific religion that you believe in?
At the moment, I don't believe in any specific religion.
2) In China, what seems to be the general view of Buddhism?
I haven't been to china in a long time… Around where I lived there were less Buddhists and there were a bit more Christians.
3) Compared to that, what is the general view of religion in the US, where you live?
I think America is much more soft on the issue of religion; No-one really cares what I believe as long as i keep it to myself.
4) Why do you think religion is such a sensitive subject for most, especially those of Asia?
I think it is simply because there are a lot of them. If there were only one locally, there would be no friction between them. However due to the long history and different difficulties people developed many different theories and those are causing issues.
5) What are your views on Christianity?
I used to be a Christian due to my family, mostly my parents. I did not find its ideas and rituals all that interesting; to a student, it is all just boring.
6) Do you have any family members that believe in an Asian Philosophy (such as Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, etc)? What do you think about people who believe in those?
My great-grandparents (yes i have met them) are Buddhist because they studied in a Buddhist school. I think they all deserve to believe in whatever they are interested in as long as it doesn't affect others.
7) Nirvana is a point in the Buddhist religion where one reaches complete inner peace through the complete absence of luxury or wants. Do you agree?
I don't think complete absence of fun and wants gets one to complete inner peace. I don't think we have to give up everything to go to a heaven like place.
8) Is law above all?
Yes. If not, there would be nothing to control people. Something has to sit on top and organize the society.
9) Do you believe in God?
Even though I said I don't believe in a specific religion, I would like to say I believe in God.
10) Confucianism teaches us that mankind is born good. However Legalism states that mankind is originally bad. which do you agree with more?
I think mankind is born good. This is because you never hear young people committing crimes knowing that it is wrong. It is mostly due to lack of education.
11) overall, why is religion such a big deal in society.
Because people want to know why things happen the way they do.
Confucius in every day life
Links are in the presentation
Tao of Pooh
http://splashman.phoenix.wikispaces.net/Brenden%2C+Michelle%2C+Emili
Tibetan Buddhism
http://splashman.phoenix.wikispaces.net/Tibetan+Buddhism+Leen+Brandon+Angela
interview
I interviewed a friend of mine living in the states
Name: Jessie Lin
Age: 18 (same as myself)
Ethnicity: Part Chinese Part Taiwanese
*Lived in China
1) Do you have a specific religion that you believe in?
At the moment, I don't believe in any specific religion.
2) In China, what seems to be the general view of Buddhism?
I haven't been to china in a long time… Around where I lived there were less Buddhists and there were a bit more Christians.
3) Compared to that, what is the general view of religion in the US, where you live?
I think America is much more soft on the issue of religion; No-one really cares what I believe as long as i keep it to myself.
4) Why do you think religion is such a sensitive subject for most, especially those of Asia?
I think it is simply because there are a lot of them. If there were only one locally, there would be no friction between them. However due to the long history and different difficulties people developed many different theories and those are causing issues.
5) What are your views on Christianity?
I used to be a Christian due to my family, mostly my parents. I did not find its ideas and rituals all that interesting; to a student, it is all just boring.
6) Do you have any family members that believe in an Asian Philosophy (such as Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, etc)? What do you think about people who believe in those?
My great-grandparents (yes i have met them) are Buddhist because they studied in a Buddhist school. I think they all deserve to believe in whatever they are interested in as long as it doesn't affect others.
7) Nirvana is a point in the Buddhist religion where one reaches complete inner peace through the complete absence of luxury or wants. Do you agree?
I don't think complete absence of fun and wants gets one to complete inner peace. I don't think we have to give up everything to go to a heaven like place.
8) Is law above all?
Yes. If not, there would be nothing to control people. Something has to sit on top and organize the society.
9) Do you believe in God?
Even though I said I don't believe in a specific religion, I would like to say I believe in God.
10) Confucianism teaches us that mankind is born good. However Legalism states that mankind is originally bad. which do you agree with more?
I think mankind is born good. This is because you never hear young people committing crimes knowing that it is wrong. It is mostly due to lack of education.
11) overall, why is religion such a big deal in society.
Because people want to know why things happen the way they do.